Brennus pats Talirin on the shoulder, "Thank you, my friend," then returns to his chair. He picks up the ash stave for a moment, but places it back against the wall instead of continuing his work.
I should rest before continuing, but there are more who wish to speak...let them speak. Gods help us.
Lershoth takes a seat beside the blond haired girl, "accidentally" bumping her with his tail as he sits down.
Turning to her smiling. "I apologize about that, sometimes my tail gets a little away from me. Some fine debates we have going on here, don't you agree? So who do you prefer so far between Benny and Jalel? Do you know who is to speak next?"
Lershoth takes a seat beside the blond haired girl, "accidentally" bumping her with his tail as he sits down.
Turning to her smiling. "I apologize about that, sometimes my tail gets a little away from me. Some fine debates we have going on here, don't you agree? So who do you prefer so far between Benny and Jalel? Do you know who is to speak next?"
[dice=Bluff for tail]1d20+10
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She does not seem concerned about the tail business, though she does not look at Lershoth when she speaks in a far off kind of way. "So far they both make good points so I am not sure yet. Though if I had to pick I may pick the goblin. I believe the next to speak is a woman named Rose."
When Brennus and Tagolan start to dispute, Rodia walks towards them, but stops when Talirin breaks it up. After they split she approaches Tagolan. These "sheep" are afraid, and like cornered animals they will bite anything that comes there way. Rodia puts her hand on Tagolan's shoulder. We need to show them a way out of the corner, not bite back.
*DING DING* The bell sounds to signify that Benny's time is up. "And our final candidate Rose, will now take the stage." Calls the man with the small mallet.
A smatter of clapping follows Benny as he leaves the stage.
It then becomes full on applause as Rose ascends the short staircase to the wooden platform.
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Thank you for the warm welcome. Not all of you know me though some do. Those who do know me know that I'm as likely to organize a group project as I am to pick up some tools and start working. And that's the crux of the matter, we don't work together enough and that has to stop. We cannot afford at this point for anybody not to be working, we are simply too few in number. So I'd like to explain my plan for our current survival.
To start off, I would like to say that many of you weren't fair to Benny. He gave several examples of what need to happen, and he was right. We're barely surviving. We do need to start working together and building a society that will survive, this means we need some military presence, at the moment that means only a small detachment of guards to keep the peace among us.
We need farms as well. Our situation is not ideal for this, but I've noticed several families scraping moss and lichen off the walls. We need to set aside an area and encourage it's growth there along with mushrooms and any other fungi we can find and transplant. Jalel has already stated his breakthrough in farming that I hope will prove to be successful. To help with both plans I will be spending much time gathering ingredients, I have after some trial and error created a recipe that I'm sure will promote growth in both fungi and more traditional plants.
Next, we need to focus on building. While the cave has served us well, it is not the most comfortable place for us. We need to expand the areas we use, to do this we're going to need diggers and builders. Before we do any of those we're going to need to set up as good a smithy as we can to make basic arms and armors and tools. The large leftover chunks can be stored for the future to allow us a surplus of building materials should the fog ever recede. To help with this I continue to study my master's recipes. He has at least one that will create a fungus capable of digging through rock, it is difficult to make, and I am unsure as to my ability to make it as yet, but I will continue, any alchemists that present themselves will have a chance to study it alongside me.
We'll also need meat. This is, more difficult, while many of us hunt them for our stews, have you ever wondered why the rats didn't overrun us when had plenty of food? It's a simple enough conclusion, they have another food source, and something is eating them. That means in the deep parts of the cave, there are things we haven't seen. We need to explore out there. I am certain we will find new things to grow and eat. And that will have to be a priority since we'll have to start ranching to raise enough meat to fill all our bellies.
The first priority is getting a smithy up to snuff, at which point they can churn out tools and I will personally speak to all of you about your skill and give you work details. I know, it's not ideal, but it is what has to be done and soon after that, the stronger of us, those trained to fight will begin exploring, hopefully we can find beasts and plants worth raising for food with us upon our return.
There is nothing we can do about the mist at this point except prepare for the day it's gone which is why we will be stockpiling supplies. As to how society would be run upon our return to the surface, well. It will be hard. We'll have only survived by working together, and I refuse to let that be forgotten. During Duck Fitzgerald's time, he was a wise ruler, but he was not the only noble and they were as often as not corrupt.
Under my reign, that would not be allowed. while we do not have any nobility here of which I'm aware, we are strong and resourceful, and I am sure many of you would quickly build your wealth and be powerful in your own right. I want that to happen, but no noble's child would command men just because of what his parent's have done, each child will have a chance to better themselves, but none will be given life on a golden platter. No position will be given out on anything but merit. The greatest strategist will be our general, not the son of a noble who paid the right pockets! So it would go with the treasury! So it would go with the agricultural ministers, Each person who can earn their position, will get their position! I know, I speak of the future, a future we may not see, but even if we not see the sky again. We may still continue to grow down here. And for those curious, that goes for any children I may beget as well. They will not receive the crown or thrown, or what have you just because they sprang from my loins. The person who convinces me they are the best candidate would be my heir. Thank you.
Jalel stood with one arm under his chin and nodded to himself, seeing the merits of both his rivals plans and how they had spoken.
Powerful and direct, yet subtle as well. Utilizing a mix of progress and security to drive the others. Her alchemy is certain to be a useful skill regardless of who leads and is almost guaranteed be much easier for many to learn as opposed to the arcane... problematic. The only limiting factor will be the amount of supply she has on hand or can gather. Likely small... an issue for another time.
He drummed his fingers.
Still, a merit based system should hold very well under a powerful and unswerving leader such as her. It would do... for a time.
But many factors in the early stages as well as the later stages are likely to undermine her plan. So long as the denizens she speaks of do not weaken our numbers significantly... though that is a problem for us all. The real issue is the nature of others. Envy, jealousy, fear, intimidation, greed. She will have to maintain a population and not let it grow too large, else there will likely be fighting should someone more talented come along. That or subdivide them into differing groups, led by different rulers... A weakness if we are to fend off the Giants.
Assuming they ever made it above ground again.
He had questions to ask, but no. Better to let others ponder and question themselves. He was a candidate for Duke, after all. It wouldn't do to have himself lead the debates, lest he seem worried about his position.
Talirin's tail twitched at the thought of people just wondering around the lower caves, I have been as deep in the caves as any...the rats flourish because there is plenty of Carrion. Powerful predators inhabit the caves. We have stayed hidden so far and not exposed ourselves too much.
There are things down there...many would die trying to clear the caves. There are so few of us...would it really be worth it?
When Brennus and Tagolan start to dispute, Rodia walks towards them, but stops when Talirin breaks it up. After they split she approaches Tagolan. These "sheep" are afraid, and like cornered animals they will bite anything that comes there way. Rodia puts her hand on Tagolan's shoulder. We need to show them a way out of the corner, not bite back.
Hello. Sorry, I don't believe we have met. I know Brennus a bit, but you are new to me. He says quietly so the rest of the crowd can't hear.
I'm not trying to bite back, I'm trying to get them to realize that humanity isn't the best choice for everything, and to practice such a mindset would be the end of most of our chances. If they push down Benny's idea's because he is a goblin, how will they learn to hunt and survive? I'm one of the few people who can teach them that. Magic is one thing, but hunting for food, and defending ourselves is far more important in my mind. Sorry I have been so long winded.
I have spent my life deep in the caves, and the cat is right. I have lived mostly on rats, the seem to thrive in the farther area's of the cave. Carrion is common, as are predators of all shapes and sizes. i have managed to keep them out from my small little portion of the cave, but we will need more than a few inexperienced guards to deal with the predators if we are to survive. I spent a life time dealing with them. Most of you never went as far as I have.
There are other concerns I have. I have read tales of infamous little beasts called Kobolds. They live in tunnels and are amazing at setting traps, and have numbers. It is probably good to assume creatures that live in tunnels anyway, don't even know about the fog. Is it to much to believe that the kobolds have build an empire underground and have thrived while we barely hold on? I fear for the sake of these people if we were to run into such beasts.
Perhaps going further into the tunnels is not the best Idea. just saying that.
Tagolan looked down at that. Hopefully these people see common sense.
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You're right, it might be dangerous. I do not know what lies in the farthest areas of this network and will listen to the people's thoughts on the subject. But where there is predator, there is prey. So ask yourselves, do you want to eat nothing but rat the rest of your lives? What about the childrens? Or their childrens? Disease could wipe them out and we'd have nothing but the the farms.
And to be clear, I do not speak of clearing the caves, merely hunting until we find a few good animals to start raising, and I do not propose to send guards out at all. I have spent the bulk of my life in these caves being trained hard and I know their are others like me. We are the ones I suggest go deeper for I do not trust that we will remain undiscovered. That said, you're right. We need to set up some defenses first, at the very least a wall and gate.
A gate? A wall? There are creatures that tunnel for fun. Kobolds could dig right underneath it. As could we, given the resources. I understand we need food, but what if the fog is gone.
What disease do you speak of? Disease could wipe anything out. And I think it is a better bet that disease would to wipe out our descendants than rats, who live off of Carrion.
And Even so, All I hear is talk of living in these caves? I understand the need for a plan if the fog is still around, but it has been a decade and a half. Surely no fog could last that long. Do you have any plan for if the fog is gone?
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Yes, prepare, whether we live here in the caves or have a chance to return to the sunlit lands above, we'll still need the same things. Material for shelters, tools to work the land. Weapons to defend ourselves, and a team who can protect themselves to explore. And you're right, there are animals and monsters that tunnel. Hopefully none are in here. But a wall is a defensive preparation, nothing more. We cannot trust it to be impenetrable, but I'd rather have it to keep anything that can't tunnel out.
When was the last time we went up to the door and checked on the outside world?
"I think one of the goblins checked it earlier today. They weren't clicking their heels in celebration, so I am guessing nothing's changed." A girl with blonde hair and pig tails, called from near the back of the crowd.
You think? for all anyone knows the people who have been checking have been lying. They could be getting food for themselves. Do you think everyone is sane after fifteen years underground? Do you think they would think for the community? Or themselves? For all we know these people wanting to be dukes are insane, or would kill us for power! Tagolan said, the thought suddenly coming to his mind.
How do we know any of you wouldn't use us for power?
You think? for all anyone knows the people who have been checking have been lying. They could be getting food for themselves. Do you think everyone is sane after fifteen years underground? Do you think they would think for the community? Or themselves? For all we know these people wanting to be dukes are insane, or would kill us for power! Tagolan said, the thought suddenly coming to his mind.
How do we know any of you wouldn't use us for power?
Others have checked as well over the last few weeks and it is still there. I doubt if the Goblins would lie at this point...they have been with us a long time.
No one really knows at first who would try to use us for power. If you can't tell that...well that would make you one of the sheep then. You seem smart enough to see that coming for yourself and at that point you can make to stop it...as would I.
The wall is a fine idea for defense though. If we do decide to move deeper into the cave in strength we would be better served by having such a defense.
You think? for all anyone knows the people who have been checking have been lying. They could be getting food for themselves. Do you think everyone is sane after fifteen years underground? Do you think they would think for the community? Or themselves? For all we know these people wanting to be dukes are insane, or would kill us for power! Tagolan said, the thought suddenly coming to his mind.
How do we know any of you wouldn't use us for power?
Others have checked as well over the last few weeks and it is still there. I doubt if the Goblins would lie at this point...they have been with us a long time.
No one really knows at first who would try to use us for power. If you can't tell that...well that would make you one of the sheep then. You seem smart enough to see that coming for yourself and at that point you can make to stop it...as would I.
Tagolan smiles at the cat. I am more worried for these people, sheep as they are. Still I don't believe the wall is a good idea. We have no idea whats out there, and if there is a kobold empire, likely since no one has been killing them for the last fifteen years, they would tunnel right under it or around. They might even tunnel right here. Unless someone has a master plan to make them our allies, and seeing as they have been written down as known evil psychopaths I don't think it's a good idea, how are we to protect everyone?
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I am not using you simply for my own power. If I were I'd fill your heads with promises of riches and a glorious future, not hard work merely to survive. And a leader cannot know everything no matter how thin he spreads himself, and to ask a leader to spread out their attention to every minutiae of running a kingdom is asking for one who is weak and easily distracted.
No, a leader must trust those under him to do their job, and while it would be my responsibility to verify the information is correct every few months if not less, it isn't yet, so to act as though I have somehow failed in a duty that isn't mine is premature at best.
Having gone back to listening as Rose began her speech Lershoth talks again.
"Yes let's assume everyone is mad and that our potential leaders are all out to get us, that path surely leads to salvation.
Look, I think your not entirely wrong... Magelen... no that's not right, Tagolan... no, sorry I'm really bad at remembering names. Lershoth pauses for a second, his tail stands erect. "Tagolan! Aye, that's it. As I was saying you have a point we've been down here for a while but second guessing everything's isn't going to help, I think the best bet, no matter who is elected will be to set up an advisory council to help assist the leader."
Turning to Rose
"you have some nice ideas, I don't agree with setting up a wall, at least not immediately, we have more pressing concerns, and by the time we had it set up it would likely be too little too late. Also like Tagolan mentioned it might not do us much good until we know what's down there. But if the fog doesn't clear than i agree we have little choice but to press deeper. If you don't mind me asking, if you were to form a party to dig deeper, what merits and qualities, besides fighting capability, would you see to be the most important?"
I don't mistrust everyone Tiefling. I trust you, Brennus, and the cat, sorry Talirin, I just can't help but call you the cat. Ohh and the half-elf who I was talking two earlier. She seems reasonable. But you aren't going after the position of duke, no offence to those who are. You seem like nice enough people, but... He looks down attempting to hide the scar on his face.
I learned the hard way that not everyone can be trusted. Especially those with power over you. It's just my thing. I honestly don't see myself anywhere but either in this group of people protecting everyone and adventuring that so far every candidate has talked about, or in an army. Though, that's probably my blood talking. I suppose I could be a baker one day.
I do agree with Lershoth we should have a council to help the leader, and monitor them.
That would be nice. Be baker. New goal now. No matter what happens, If i become a general, a soldier, and adventurer or whatever, I must find time to become a baker. Live out my later years in peace perhaps.
I have seen none of these...Kobolds...in years of hunting in these caves. Digging...or tunneling...maybe. But they would need to discover us first and with no wall they could just walk in and slaughter us. There is much to think about with all of their speeches.
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A good question. I would prefer a deep knowledge of the terrain, somebody who's explored what we do use extensively would be preferable. Somebody studied in Engineering would be good as well. We'd do nobody any good if we died in a cave in. Without knowing what we're likely to find I'd prefer a wizard, someone with many different spells that may be useful. Somebody with sharp eyes and a knowledge of the mechanical in case we run into any of the aforementioned kobolds, and a healer, though I would have to find out how many we have before I decide if one could be spared to go with the explorers. That and one or two well versed in the ways of combat. I think that's about it ideally, but I'd have to see what we have available as some may be needed to train guards, farmers, smiths and the such. We cannot allow ourselves to weaken with their potential sacrifice before we have reached some level of self-sufficiency.
Rose, you make a good case for what you need, but I believe everyone would have said something along the lines had they been asked. That being said, I have explored every inch from here to my one place, about 3,000 feet from here, deep in the caves. I explored the area surrounding as well. I could track a lot, and given someone who can write better than I we could have a decent map in a day or two.
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An excellent thought. A detailed map would help significantly in the planning stages.
I'd like to join whatever group is sent out to explore the caverns, perhaps we can dig ourselves out from under the mists... Come to think of it, if we do fell any beasts of the dark, we can turn their hides to armor and their bones to weapons. Crude, but effective.
"Lets not get ahead of ourselves, we have an election to finish before any such real discussion should happen. I was just curious how you might proceed Rose.
Brennus turns to Rose. I am a warrior, scion of a long line of conquering heroes. My skills with the bow are second only to my ability to fashion them. The will of my ancestors guides my hand and voice, and they would have me go forth, above or below, and lay siege upon the very hearts of our enemies. But..., he motions to Lershoth, his man has the right of it, who shall lead?
If we're doing this here then I'd like to go, but first I have a question. You state that all positions would be given due to a meritocratic system, who and how would the best suited for the position be decided? You state that you would choose the next leader, but this has been tried before, and often when the leader chooses their successor it descends into Monarchy. While I do not think that you would simply give it to your children what stops your successors from doing so?
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Unfortunately, I can't stop that, I can't make promises based on the reign of future rulers. Even if we were to set up a group to choose the next ruler after me there's nothing stopping him or her from killing them, planning a coup or anything else. I can only make promises based in my lifetime. I can only hope I leave a legacy that those who come after me are willing to follow honestly and with integrity.
Are there anymore questions from anyone? If not, I motion for the deciding vote.
We must have the debates first though, it is only fair for those who had to speak first to be given another chance to restate their views with the exceptional questions that have been asked, or to get their shot to jab at each other!
Addressing Rose
Before I forget, you mentioned Alchemy, if your ever looking for a partner or someone to bounce ideas off of, look none farther.
*Ding Ding* the bell sounds again to signify the end of Rose's election speech. "Now all three candidates will step onto the stage for the debates." Calls the man with the small mallet, he then continues with "Voters feel free to propose any question of importance to the running candidates."
The other two candidates join Rose on the stage and wait for the first question.
After a moment of near silence, a young man of twenty-five or so calls out What do you think is the best course of action for our immediate future?" The crowd then looks intensely at the three candidates, waiting for a response.
"We need to explore if the mist is still around. Find the beasts of the underground and make them ours. Rose had very good idea to make a Ranch, Benny agrees with it. Smithy would also be good, if we can find a way to channel the smoke out. No good choking the life out of us if we can't."